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DPW board warming to dog park plan After two unsuccessful attempts to build a dog park in town, the Marshfield Bark Park Committee are back for round three. And so far, the new site proposed is fetching approval with town officials. In spite of some concerns regarding waste disposal and town liabilities, the Public Works Board supported the committee's proposal to construct a two-acre dog park on a parcel of town-owned land off Rockwood Road in Enterprise Park. Because the park would be located on town land, the proposal will require voter support at the fall special Town Meeting along with the support of the board of health and conservation commission. Rockwood Road site is the third being considered by the committee after the two previously sought sites - a location off of Forest Street and one in Harbor Park - were dropped due to both town offiicals' and abutters' concerns. Bark Park Committee Chairman Brad White said the Rockwood Road site, which was suggested to the committee by Town Administrator John Clifford, addresses all previous concerns from residents. He said the park would be located in an area that would not threaten town drinking water and is designed for recreational use. White said the new site lends itself nicely for use as a dog park, given its natural shape and structure in a well-wooded area. "We like it," he said. "It is very woodsy and somewhat rugged, but it's flat." Bark Park Committee members have been pushing for a dog park for nearly two years. Animal Control Officer Norma Haskins said the proposed park will benefit pet owners and pets by providing a place for dogs to run safe from the dangers of traffic and coyotes. "We'd like a place where people can meet other dog owners and exercise their dogs safely," Haskins said. The park is geared to dogs of all sizes, noted White pointing to a separate agility area for smaller dogs included in the plan, as well as a natural walking trail, picnic tables, ample parking and a donated handicapped access ramp. White said $3,900 has already been raised to get working on the park. He said the committee hopes to begin fundraising as soon as possible in hope of raising $50,000 as a steady endowment upon which to run and maintain the park. The annual cost for maintaining the park would come in at about $5,000, and all funds would be raised and spent privately by the committee. White said the committee plans to charge pet owners a fee of $7.50 per year, where owners would register and secure tags for their dogs through the Animal Control Office. He said the money generated through the fees would go to support such programs as adoption days and rabies clinics that would be held at the park. The committee sought the board's approval before making a presentation to the Board of Health, but while board members said they supported the concept of the park, they again raised concerns about waste is the area that would be left behind by dogs using the park. Committee member Bob Shaughnessy said nitrates in the dog urine could find its way into storm water runoff that would carry into the South River. "My concern is we're going to put 3,500 dogs in this area without any consideration about the waste and where it goes," Shaughnessy said. "I don't see anything in your plan to address that point." White said there will be a designated sanded "relief area" for dogs to go the bathroom. In addition, he said the committee is looking into hiring a company, which for $10-15 a week would sweep the park for leftover waste. Board of Public Works Chairman Joseph Lambert asked if waste barrels would be on hand for dog owners to clean up after their pets. White said the committee would have no issue with supplying and funding the barrels, which Lambert said cost about $30 a month each for use. "I think the devil is in the details and there are still some details to sort out," Lambert said. Committee member Chris Ionta stressed the need for the committee to include an exit strategy in its plans for the park. He said should anything go wrong with the park down the road, it would be appropriate to plan accordingly. White said while the committee had not yet thought of putting together an exit plan, he welcomed the idea and offered to put one together. "We should certainly think about that," he said. "There is no harm in planning an exit strategy." White said the committee hoped to open and maintain the park on a two-year trial basis, after which they will evaluate the park's progress with input from town boards and departments. "Pet owners are very responsible, but we understand that anything can happen," White said. "I think it's best that we give it two years and figure things out from there." The board gave committee members its support provided they revise their business plan to address waste issues and include and exit strategy for the park. Shaughnessy said should residents support the park's construction at Town Meeting, the board would work to see that the park be built in an appropriate manner. "If these questions aren't answered in your plan, residents at Town Meeting will ask them," Shaughnessy said. "If the town votes in favor of the dog park, we will work with you to make it come together properly." The committee next plans to meet before the Board of Health at a later date, White said. ### |
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